Odejayi Latest

Rumours of Cheltenham Town striker Kayode Odejayi have grown pace in recent days but the price has gone down and the striker may turn down the move.

The News of the World first reported on Sunday that The Reds had bid £300,000 for Odejayi and he was set for a medical the next day. The medical never materialised and it has now been claimed the fee is just £200,000 as this ignites a release clause in Odejayi's contract. It has also been reported Odejayi's agent is holding talks with Simon Davey and Gordon Shepherd. Clubs such as Burnley and newly promoted Scunthorpe United have also been linked with the striker.

Gloucestershire Echo.

DECISION TIME IS LOOMING FOR KAY

09:00 - 22 May 2007

Kayode Odejayi is set to make a decision on his Cheltenham Town future early next week. The 25-year-old striker and his agent Darren Long held talks with Coca-Cola Championship club Barnsley's manager Simon Davey yesterday.

The South Yorkshire club have made a six-figure bid, believed to be in excess of £200,000, for the lightning-quick Odejayi, who has top scored for the Robins in the last two seasons.

After the meeting, Odejayi said he will discuss matters with Robins boss John Ward on Friday and will make a decision over the weekend.

Odejayi admitted that he was flattered and surprised by the interest shown in him, but said it would be a wrench for him to leave Cheltenham after two highly successful years.

"It's all come out of the blue and it's still in the early stages," he said.

"If you ask anyone in football they will tell you they want to play at the highest level possible.

"But it's been a great couple of years at Cheltenham, I am happy and I am enjoying my football."

Odejayi said that he feels settled in Cheltenham after relocating from Bristol.

"I am living with my girlfriend and I am very settled, so I will wait and see, weigh up my options and see what's best for my career," he said.

"The manager (John Ward) is aware I have spoken to another club, but I am still a Cheltenham player, who is looking forward to next season and that's the way it is at the moment."

Barnsley signed midfielder Grant McCann for a six-figure sum from Cheltenham during the January transfer window after an initial loan spell and they are ready to raid Whaddon Road once again.

Davey is searching for a forward due to the impending departure of leading marksman Daniel Nardiello, who is out of contract at Oakwell.

Another Tykes striker Paul Hayes, 23, has been made available for transfer and has been linked with a move to Southend United.

Odejayi was signed by former manager Bobby Gould for a tribunal-set fee of £5,000 from Forest Green Rovers in 2003.

Rovers would net 25% of any transfer fee recouped by Cheltenham for Odejayi.

Odejayi could complete a trio of former Cheltenham stars at Barnsley if he makes the move north.

Former Balcarras School pupil Martin Devaney has spent the past two seasons at Oakwell after signing from Watford, where he spent a brief period after leaving Cheltenham at the end of the 2004-05 campaign.

Barnsley are the only club to have made an approach for Odejayi so far.

Odejayi has now said though that he may stay at Cheltenham although he would like to play at the highest level possible.

BBC Sport

Cheltenham striker Kayode Odejayi said he may choose to stay with the club despite being linked with a £200,000 move to Barnsley.

The 25-year-old former Forest Green Rovers forward has scored 35 goals in his four seasons with the Robins.

"It's all come out of the blue and it's still in the early stages," Odejayi told the Gloucestershire Echo.

"I want to play at the highest level possible. But I'm happy at Cheltenham and I'm enjoying my football."